About me: Robert Taylor

I was trying to publish my content as a HTML5 flipbook and was really frustrated. That all changed when I found the free web-service Yumpu.com. One great thing about this service is its free and easy to use, it is very fast loading and it has tutorials as how to use it and many features that it provides.

Within my profession, I have vast responsibilities. Just one has been producing content for clients, board members, volunteers, and the community. In the past, I would use PDF files to send in emails and print publications out into either book or report forms. The problem with this though, is that it did not help reach the community specifically and I could not send some items to clients for safety reasons. This caused me to start looking for a solution to these problems specifically within the organization.

I started extensive research to figure out a workable and affordable solution. I looked at numerous options that offered HTML5 formatting, but most of these options required prior knowledge. Lacking in this skill, I chose to look at Yumpu.com closely that offered a flipbook technology based on HTML5 and formatting automatically.

Upon closer examination of it’s features, I was happy with what I saw and chose to try it out. In essence, it provided a platform for publications such as newsletters, magazines, and other types of literature for various fields of interest. The main factor for me though was cost, as I had to stay within a budget. For me, free was a great price! The cool thing was that you could even add videos, audio files and links to the flipbook.

Flipbooks – powered by HTML5 – are readable on all devices and are super fast

I have always had an eye out for a cost effective way to do desktop publishing and flipbook creators. I have tried many different programs to prepare simple documents such as resumes and brochures to the more complex eMagazine and eBooks but found that one service was good for brochures and bad for Magazines or great for eBooks and Magazines but bad for smaller publishing tasks.

Tutorial: Create the perfect HTML5 flipbook for free

What will I learn here?I will teach you how to create, publish and share a HTML5 flipbook that has everything you need. We will even add multimedia elements like video, audio and links.

How long will it take?I know how valuable your time is, so this tutorial will only cost you about 20-30 minutes.

What do I need?If you don’t have a PDF yet, you will need a software to create the magazine/document you need (for example Adobe Photoshop or Mirosoft Word)

What is the result of this guide?This is the magazine I will create in this tutorial, embedded in this blog:

Step 1 – Create PDF:

To create a flipbook with HTML5, you need a document in the PDF file format. If you already have a PDF you want to use, please skip this step! There are multiple ways to create a PDF file. The easiest way is to use an office tool like Word or Powerpoint. If you created a file with one of those softwares, press “File” and then “Export”. Then choose PDF as the file format and there it is! Your PDF . You can read how to do that in detail here: Microsoft

But I wanted a little more styling capabilities for my TV magazine, so I bought a magazine template from www.graphicriver.net for Photoshop. The templates only cost around 10 to 15 dollars. If you want to do this too, just search for something like “Photoshop magazine template“, I used this one. The best would be to buy a template for InDesign, but as I don’t own that software I went with Photoshop.

I just added a few images and texts, and then saved every single page as a PDF file with a click on “File” and then on “Save as”. Then I chose PDF as the file format and ready were my magazine pages as PDF. Read here what you have to keep in mind when you are creating PDF files for this service.

This is what my cover looked like in Photoshop.

And this is what my third and fourth page looked like.

All I had to do now, was merging the PDF files into one single file, so I can upload it to Yumpu. To do this I used this neat little online tool called IlovePDF. It is pretty easy to use and it’s completely free.

Step 2 – The Flipbook Creator:

Now that you have your finished PDF document, you can start the HTML5 flipbook creator by uploading the PDF. Go to this link: Yumpu.com Then drag your PDF into the upload box on that page.

The file will then be uploaded to the cloud servers. If the size of your file is a little bit bigger, it may take a few minutes until the upload is done.

Step 3 – Register:

In the next step, you must login or register for a new free account. Click on “Create new account” and enter your e-mail address. You will then get an activation e-mail. Don’t forget to activate your account with a click on the link you get in the e-mail, otherwise you won’t get access to your account.

Step 4 – Finish Setup:

Now all that’s left to do is setting a username and a password for your account after you clicked the activation link.

Well done! Your account is set up.

Step 5 – Configure Flipbook:

Now it’s time to configure your uploaded HTMl5 flipbook. You can find your uploaded flipbook in the document manager. Hover over your username and click “My magazines” to go to the document manager. Then click on “Edit magazine”.

Choose a good title, a meaningful description and fitting tags for your flipbook. This helps the reader as well as all major search engines like Google. When you have entered a long description and at least 5 tags, your magazine will be indexed way higher than just the pure flipbook. Readers who don’t know what your document is about, will also be glad that there is a good description and title. The service will automatically pick tags from your flipbook. If you dont like them, you can remove them by clicking on the “x” icon. The service will also try to detect the language of your magazine. Make sure it is the right one, because it determines in what version of Yumpu (german, english, spanish, etc.) your magazine will be displayed.

Below these basic settings, you can find the AdFREE settings. These configurations can only be made if you own the AdFREE plan. You can enable the download function, disable the ads, etc., but this tutorial is for the FREE version only so we won’t cover those functions.

When you are done with configurating your magazine hit the “Save” button.

Step 6 – Add Multimedia to the flipbook:

You can add multimedia elements to your magazine via the Hotspot editor. With this tool you can add videos, links and audio files via drag & drop to your flipbook’s pages.

When you are in the magazine settings, click on “Add page element to your Magazine”.

Now you are in the Hotspot Editor. On the left side you can see a navigation bar with all the different multimedia elements. On the right side you can choose which side you want to edit. Select the page of the flipbook you want to edit. Then choose the element you want (I choose the video element) and click somewhere on the page where you want to add it. Drag the element as big as you want and click again.

You can now see a new window on the right, where you can configure the created hotspot. Add the required information (in my case the name and Youtube ID) and hit save.

Congratulations, you just added your first hostpot inside HTML5 flipbook creator. Open the document to view the new element.

Step 7 – Sharing

Now that you are done with creating your flipbook, it’s time to share it with the world. This is really simple. Just follow these instructions. Then enter a title and a description and your flipbook is shared with all your fellow readers.

That’s it! You just created your own HTML5 based flipbook with multimedia elements and shared it on social media sites. Congratulations! This is the best way to boost your publishing business into new heights.

The best free HTML5 based flipbook Service

When I first started writing, I originally thought that it would be easy for me just to post my material online. I quickly learned that many other services out there had technical limitations, and because I didn’t have the time to learn a complex system, these solutions simply were not feasible. Initially, blogging was a great solution for me, but as more and more people started to read my material, I knew that there had to be a better way to present it.

I had heard in the past about a so called flipbook, an exciting new web technology that lets people display dynamic content in a very visually pleasing way. I had a number of PDF files that I wanted to upload and share, but I didn’t know how to change them from PDF to HTML5.

The one feature you will notice is it adds that “wow” factor to any publishing medium you are creating. If your goal is to get your material read then this flipbook service is the service that you are looking for.

This is a very new digital newsstand as well as a digital desk top publisher platform which boasts over 20 million, e-magazines as well as several millions of very active readers who use mobile devices and html5 flipbook. The services main element is the leading new and emerging titles one finds in the fashion world as well as culture, some arts, and the developing hyperlocal content. Yumpu makes all of these elements accessible on any of your desk top or mobile devices. Many mainstream online publications use the Yumpu.com software and it is very compatible as it creates a flipbook from your PDF based on HTML5 standards, which is readable on any device.

How I Started creating my flipbook

To understand how to use this online tool and how the flipbook works, I decided to start with a simple two-page brochure that described the services my organization promoted. It was simple to get started by uploading the PDF formatted version to their cloud server. I was able to see then how HTML5 technology worked, and decided to work on an important publication using all of their features.

After the brochure, I focused on revamping the current training book for the organization. The current model was in book form with graphs and tables showing statistics, exercises for our workers and volunteers, policies to uphold, forms to fill out, and all the information on the work we do and how to approach clients. This did not include the information that was gained from in-training videos and audio. In total, the book contained over 40 hours of training for one position.

After transferring the book to PDF format and uploading it to Yumpu, I started working on improving the training book. The first part was simply adding the logo to the cover page. The customization to make the book look great continued with the colors and background. The training book looked great, especially with the sound and look of the HTML5 flipbook technology.

The first portion of the customization was complete. The media and audio was another big component to consider adding in. The issues I had experienced before using this service caused training to last longer. The main issue was incorporating these files into the trainings using the current equipment available to me, which was a moody laptop that could not decide if it wanted to work or not.

With this service, I was able to place these media files into the training book. Through the cloud-based server, those attending training were now able to find the material needed and look at them through any device. While I incorporated the materials into in-classroom trainings, the attendees could then listen and watch the media required on their own time.

Cost and time efficient flipbook creation

It made it extremely easy for me to convert my documents with their flip book creator. Unlike other platforms that wanted to charge me an arm and a leg and made it easy for me to afford just what I wanted. They even let people publish their material for free. Not only did they have great solutions for PDF to flipbook conversion, but they also had a ton of additional features that other companies did not have.

For example, it lets me take my video and audio files and integrate them directly into my HTML5 document. This creates an extremely immersive experience for my readers, and it has helped me to engage more people. Likewise, I can even integrate sign-up forms right on my documents, allowing me to let users join a mailing list. This greatly increased my communication capabilities with my readers.

I would recommend this platform to any professional such as a doctor, a lawyer or accountant as well as a start up business person who cannot afford support staff or more professional graphic publication systems. Many of these professionals use mobile devices such as iPads and iPhones and a flipbook is perfect to read on these devices. This is why I absolutely love it and it’s flipbook and my friends all have said the same.

Its compatibility to many different desktop and mobile devices places it on the cutting edge of multi capable desktop and mobile publishing programs.

It can be easily embedded on your favorite platform for easy access and use such as a website portal or even Facebook. Another wonderful feature of this platform is that it allows you to really customize the look and feel of your publication creation and it will be a plus for professionals that may not be able to afford a professional desktop publisher or even an assistant. Many of these professionals use a html5 flipbook to publish their stuff.

First Results

After sharing the links with those who worked in the organization and the first training class utilizing the book, there was an immediate response. Trainings still took the forty hours necessary to start working for the organization. They ran smoother though as I could then assign homework to watch or listen to a certain media file. During the next session of training, they could then be tested on the material and deeper discussion could take place.

The major compliment though was how the digital training guide allowed them to experience the trainings in a format that reminded them of an actual book. This was thanks to the HTML5 flipbook technology that allowed them to hear the page turn as well as see it, thus enhancing their enjoyment of the course. A common statement I heard was, “It seems like a real book you have to hold, but it is better.”

Subsequent Projects

After the training book was a success, I transferred the organizations other publications to this website too. The publications have included reports for board holders, materials for clients, and educational materials for the community as a whole. The result of all these publications looked fresh, inviting, and professional.

Other projects have included flyers and informational brochures for events our organization have. Although these types of publications are only a page and do not use HTML5 technology, the result has stayed the same in creating a professional, attractive look. These have ultimately led to an increase in participation in the different functions the organization hosted.

It helped My Organization!

Before I found this service, the organization was running fairly well. The cost was high though with continually training new volunteers and employees. For each new employee, a training book was printed. This added up overtime with the cost of paper, ink, and binding. Other monthly publications, was distributed to various locations and at board meetings.

Since I have been using it, the budget has decreased dramatically. Utilizing the HTML5 flipbook creator, those same publications are now available online, reducing the amount of money spent on materials needed to produce these publications. I can now create the publications needed for free using Yumpu’s service.

The ease of access provided an aid to how the organization was run. I have received nothing but compliments of how all the published works appear, especially with HTML5 utilized. All my clients, volunteers, and employees are able to view these publications on any device, at any time.

Flipbooks are beautiful and a real eyecatcher

The organization’s board members have been grateful of the improved transparency of the organization with all our reports being shown online. This transparency has helped overall in receiving funding from sources outside the community. Not only did the company’s budget decrease, the company grew in numerous areas. After creating and telling those whom I worked with and trained about the training book publication, there were developments within the organization. The information about the company was being shared through social media, bringing awareness towards our cause.

This awareness not only got the attention of other communities around our operating area, but also started drawing interest from all over the state. This improvement has led to the company being asked to participate in trainings for statewide organizations, schools, and community events were no services had been offered before.

Educational events followed from the publications after the training book. Local public schools and college campus’s started asking others and myself in our organization to come and speak to students about what we do. Since all of these publications, we have been traveling consistently to keep communities informed of social issues and how to help with these issues.

This information was not possible with just social media. Yumpu provided search engine optimization for all the publications that I created. As I found out from asking those who would contact us, they found us by searching the internet for the types of services we provided.

My Overall View of Yumpu.com

Throughout this time, the support they have provided concerning HTML5 technology for flipbooks, and any other questions I have had has been great. I have been greatly pleased by what I have seen. This stems from the ease of access to upload my pdf files, the customization levels for each document, the inclusion of media, and the ability to share the publications and grow the organization to a state level currently.

Would I recommend their services? If you are looking for a service that allows your publications to be available for everyone to see while using HTML5 technology, then they are the right choice. This free service is a great option when looking to upload publications that will look professional as the final product.

I love the accessible customer support that is on stand by to assist. What I did not pick up in the tutorial I easily picked up with a quick link to customer support.

Anyone who is in need of a free HTML5 ready flipbook conversion should definitely consider this flip book creator. I never thought a publishing solution would be so easy. I was even more blown away to hear about the free services that they offered.

I’m glad that I have found this service and I know my readers are too. They’re now able to enjoy rich, immersive, and engaging content. Finding such a great publishing platform has allowed me to focus more on my writing and photography allowing me to be better at what I do. Were other PDF to HTML5 flipbook conversion services failed, Yumpu.com was able to meet and exceed all of my expectations.

Thanks for this tutorial. I had read the other ones on this site but am more comfortable with html. It was good to find this one. I have been playing with the software and it is as easy as you make it out to use. I am going to get serious with it and change some of my shorter PDFs over. Thanks for all the information

I am currently studying Graphic Arts and plan on making a career of it. After working with yumpu I was surprised to discover that it is easier to use than the software that we use at school. I am glad that I found it because I have already found out that it speeds up what I need to do. I look forward to using it and learning more about it. If I get stumped I will be back to ask questions if that is okay. Thanks